Erato

Fagnani, Giuseppe (1819-1873)


Item type:
painting
Date of creation:
19th century
Height:
110.5 cm  (43 1/2 in.)
Width:
83.8 cm  (33 in.)
Signature: [at lower left]: J.F. Inscription: [at upper left]: EPATO [in Greek]
Technique / Medium:
oil on canvas

    Item location

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
    American Paintings and Sculpture[Museum inv. no.: 74.49]Gift of an Association of Ladies and Gentlemen (1874)

Description

The Muse holding a lyre-like instrument and plucking strings (seven) with right hand. On the right side a Cupid holding a flaming torch in right hand.

Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)

Lyre [3501] (Stylised instrument, an adaptation rather than an intentionally accurate representation.)

RIdIM images


Image URLs

image link 1

Notes

This is one of a series of nine paintings depicting American society belles as Muses (all at the Metropolitan Museum of New York). According to contemporary accounts, the project was intended to prove that American women were as beautiful as their European counterparts. The model for "Erato" was Miss Kate Sullivant, daughter of William Sullivant of Columbus, Ohio. Master George Watts is the Cupid.

RIdIM record id

3209